1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dreadful hurricane
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music
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3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood
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4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the dreadful heat of the desert
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5
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
made a dreadful mess of his first marriage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreadful
Inter Miami has yet to taste victory at its new home stadium, and Saturday night’s affair was the most dreadful of its attempts to do so.
—
Avi Creditor, New York Times, 3 May 2026
This new dreadful tale follows a high school student in 1960s Japan, and fully embraces the unique J-horror aesthetic.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
While the director’s last studio hit, 1999’s Deep Blue Sea, shares shark DNA, the new thriller’s roots are deeply embedded in 1970s disaster movies, not least the truly dreadful Airport ’77.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
But that would lead to long lines of impatient and, let’s face it, rather demanding party guests snaking around the hotel (and potentially getting soaked, in Saturday’s dreadful weather).
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Avi Creditor, New York Times, 3 May 2026
This new dreadful tale follows a high school student in 1960s Japan, and fully embraces the unique J-horror aesthetic.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
While the director’s last studio hit, 1999’s Deep Blue Sea, shares shark DNA, the new thriller’s roots are deeply embedded in 1970s disaster movies, not least the truly dreadful Airport ’77.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
But that would lead to long lines of impatient and, let’s face it, rather demanding party guests snaking around the hotel (and potentially getting soaked, in Saturday’s dreadful weather).
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadful
Adjective
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For most people, the idea of ceding control to a robot is out there at best; downright terrifying at worst.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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One of those terrifying moments happened on a public stairwell.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Gray has been good at home, a more reliable starter, and Painter has been awful overall.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
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There was a sense of an extraordinary person and so many extraordinary people doing quite awful things throughout the year.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The legislation followed horrific flooding in Central Texas on July 4 that resulted in 25 campers and two counselors losing their lives at Camp Mystic.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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There are plenty of sad stories associated with the horrific fiery crash.—
Paul Eisenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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What sets this masa harina apart is its distinct, intense corn flavor.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 May 2026
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Being confined to a wooden chair, wearing that impressive multilayered costume, in the intense heat of Gran Canaria.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Given the sheer number of stocks offering dividends, identifying the right ones is not always straightforward.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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Not to mention, there’s the sheer natural beauty of the Verde River and the red-rock formations the region is known for.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
That is a really horrible thing.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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The Virginia Supreme Court has just struck down the Democrats’ horrible gerrymander.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The scene Tuesday was beyond ugly.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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Culturally, the word is synonymous with ugly, not just for the ways lesbians defy traditional gender roles in the popular imagination but for their disinclination toward and unavailability to men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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But some of our most gruesome memories as a band are also our favorites.—
Katie Gavin,
Time,
8 May 2026
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The truth the jury learned was far more gruesome.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadful. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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